LOWELL — A Billerica man accused of raping a child will remain behind bars until his trial in June after allegedly forcing sexual acts on the victim for several years, starting when she was 6 years old.

Jose Figueroa, 46, faces life in prison for the alleged crime; This is the second time he has been accused of raping a child. The previous charge resulted in a conviction more than two decades ago.

News of Figueroa’s previous conviction emerged Tuesday when he appeared in Middlesex Superior Court for a 58A dangerousness hearing. During the hearing, Judge Kenneth Salinger accepted the prosecution’s argument that Figueroa posed a threat to both the victim and society and therefore should remain behind bars while awaiting his trial, which is scheduled to begin with a jury discharge on June 23.

To support his claim, Middlesex Deputy District Attorney Marissa Milero informed Salinger that Figueroa had been in jail ever since. His arrest in MarchHe had called the victim and sent letters from behind bars, pressuring her to drop her accusations.

An attempt by Figueroa’s attorney, Keith Durden, to have him released from custody under certain conditions was unsuccessful.

A heavily redacted incident report from Billerica Police states that school staff called authorities on March 21 after a student reported being sexually assaulted by Figueroa. That same day, the alleged victim was interviewed by Billerica Police, the State Department of Children and Families, the Victim and Witness Advocacy Program, and members of the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.

During the interview, the alleged victim stated that the last incident of sexual abuse occurred a few days ago. He claimed that after the abuse, Figueroa would “reward” him with marijuana.

In another interview, the alleged victim said Figueroa had previously approached another woman and offered her marijuana in exchange for sex. The alleged victim said the woman told him she rejected the offer, but “she wasn’t sure she was telling the truth,” according to the police report.

An arrest warrant was issued for Figueroa, who was arrested by Billerica Police on March 22. It was revealed in Lowell District Court on April 18 that Figueroa had been arrested. was accused by a grand jury.

Court records show Figueroa was previously convicted in Essex Superior Court of raping a child and sentenced to three years behind bars. The crime occurred in Lawrence when Figueroa was 21 and the victim was 14.

Based on the latest charge, Figueroa’s trial is expected to last three to four days. A final pretrial conference is scheduled for June 11 in Middlesex Superior Court.

Follow Aaron Curtis on X, formerly known as Twitter, @aselahcurtis